“You shouldn’t be messing with the minds of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma” - MSK Prasad urges team management

Former selector MSK Prasad warned the team management not to "mess with the minds of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma" over their commitment and domestic cricket mandate, citing the lack of pressure placed on MS Dhoni in the past.

03 Dec 2025 15:32 IST

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Former India chief selector and commentator MSK Prasad has requested the Indian team management not to mess with the minds of the veteran Indian playing duo of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

Speaking exclusively to the TOI, the former selector has asserted that the Indian team management should stop putting the duo’s places in the playing XI on trial. Furthermore, Prasad also urged the veterans to take part in domestic cricket to inspire the younger generation to represent their respective state teams.

“First thing that needs to be ensured is that you shouldn’t be messing with the minds of such big players. They are the ones who are performing, not the younger lot,” Prasad told the TOI.

“It will be ideal if they play domestic cricket when they are not on national duty, because that will also inspire the young players in the state teams. But one should be careful that the issue is not brought up all the time. We never had a word with Dhoni about playing domestic cricket. He played whenever he felt it was necessary,” said Prasad.

“There should be clear communication up front. Or else, stick to the perform-or-perish policy. There should not be any scope for ambiguity,” he added.

Furthermore, Prasad requested Kohli and Rohit to take a cut from the former Indian captain, MS Dhoni, in order to guide the current Indian skipper, Shubman Gill, ahead of the much–anticipated ICC ODI World Cup 2027 in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

“The camaraderie between head coach Ravi Shastri, Kohli and MS Dhoni is an example. We didn’t even announce a vice-captain to start with. Dhoni played the mentor to Kohli and Kohli reciprocated it. Similarly, Kohli and Rohit should be told that they can be the guiding light for Gill. Let them have a say when they want to,” he concluded.

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